Conduit Phil

What is the proper way to bend a box offset in conduit? I've read that its roughly two 10 degree bends, but what is the spacing between bends? I usually just sort of eye ball it and tweak it until its right but I'd like to be more accurate and consistent.

Thanks

jw0445

If your going to do this on a regular basis or over many years buy yourself both 1/2" and a 3/4" offset benders. They will pay for themselves many times over. You put your conduit in the bender, press the lever down, and presto, perfect offsets every time. They run from $200 to $300 each new. Check ebay for some deals.

Cam

Best way to do this is to practice. Use scrape pieces of conduit with a box with a connector on it. Bend with bender standing up. Try to keep conduit straight to prevent dog leg when you turn it. Try small angles at at time. Youre get the hang of it.

MDShunk

Can't say as I've ever measured any offsets. I just eye it up. If I'm doing more than a few, I just use the offsetter tool.

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Magnettica

I pretty much eyeball it too. But obviously for an offset larger than just for a box I use 30º bends and use the multiplier of 2 so an 8" offset bend would make the bending marks 16" apart.

RIVETER

That's it.

PDX-SPARKY

I use what is referred to as Kentucky Windage Works like a charm.

What size pipe?

If its 1/2" or 3/4" I just eye ball it, if it is 1" or larger then you can get into some calculations if applicable.

Usually if it is smaller pipe and I bend the Box Offset my first bend is a fingers width away from the end of the pipe (so I know where my first bend started and it doesn't pinch the end of the pipe), second bend is as close as I can get to the first bend radius or within 6" of the first bend.

I was taught when you make an offset that it shouldn't be a drastic change but more of a smooth transition to the box for easier pulling.

slickvic277

For many,many box offsets I second the offset kicker.

wishmaster68

amazon has them 1/2 inch for 180 and 3/4 for 260

Conduit Phil

If you look at the table on page 9 of http://www.mikeholt.com/documents/fr...ndRaceways.pdf

it says the distance between bends for a 10 degree bend is 2-7/8" .. Well someone mentioned on another thread that the distance between bends for a box offset is approximately 3". I tried using 3" and it was a little bit off, so I'm not sure if that 1/8" was the deciding factor or not.

I'm curious as to what degree and distance between bends that Greenlee bender uses.

220/221

I have a couple of these I picked up at a garage sale somewhere.

Never used one.

Box offsets are over rated IMO but if I feel he need to use one, I just eyeball it like everyone else.

Conduit Phil

Hack.

220/221

Look at Newguy jumping right in there ^

pawirenut

Hackity hack this is what i use But i dont use emt often in residential. Only in the basement i do and when i do i buy these.

Conduit Phil

Ha, I've used those before but they cost more than a stick of conduit itself!

pawirenut

I know i only use them if im running washer and dry receps down a wall from the joists in a basement.

Magnettica

Nothing wrong with using those box offset connectors.

MDShunk

Other than it's hack, and you used a 2-dollar fitting where you could have made a bend in 30-seconds for free.

__________________
One reason not to give DIY advice:
Catch a man a fish and you can sell it to him.
Teach a man to fish and you’ve ruined a good business opportunity.

raider1

Agreed, a box offset is not rocket science and takes very little time to bend.

Chris

pawirenut

Most certainly nothing hack about it. Please explain why exactly it's a hack way? Now if i used 100 of them that is definitley a hack but the most i use is 2 for a washer and dryer recep like i said. If i'm mounting a lot of boxes i will bend them.